Coronavirus (Covid-19) in Newham

The government has set out its plan to return life to as near normal as we can, for as many people as we can, as quickly and fairly as possible in order to safeguard livelihoods, but in a way that is safe and continues to protect our NHS.

From Monday 1 June, there are a limited number of things you will be able to do in England that you could not do before:

spend time outdoors, including private gardens and other outdoor spaces, in groups of up to six people from different households, following social distancing guidelines

You should go to work if you cannot work from home and your business has not been required to close by law

More shops are beginning to reopen, with a plan for more to do so later in the month

visit car showrooms and outdoor markets

You can be tested as part of the test and trace programme, which will enable us to return to normal life as soon as possible, by helping to control transmission risks

in line with the arrangements made by your school, send your child to school or nursery if they are in early years, reception, year 1 or year 6, if you could not before

At all times, you should continue to adhere to strict social distancing guidelines when you are outside your home, particularly ensuring you are two meters away from anyone outside your household.

Controlling the virus

We can all help control the virus if we all stay alert. This means you must:

stay at home as much as possible

work from home if you can

limit contact with other people

keep your distance if you go out (2 metres apart where possible)

wash your hands regularly

Anyone with symptoms of Covid-19 even though for most people, coronavirus (Covid-19) will be a mild infection, should presume infection and stay at home:

if you have symptoms, stay at home for 7 days

if you live with other people, they should stay at home for 14 days from the day the first person got symptoms

Do not leave home if you or anyone in your household has symptoms

This plan is dependent on us continuing to successfully control the spread of the virus. If the evidence does not show sufficient progress is being made in controlling the virus to justify the easements, then the proposed lifting of restrictions may have to be delayed until such a time as it is safe to do so. If, after lifting restrictions, the government sees a concerning rise in the infection rate, then it may have to re-impose some restrictions in as targeted a way as possible.

gather in groups of more than six people with people you do not live with

visit friends or family inside their home or any other indoor place

stay away from your own home overnight, except for in a limited set of circumstances, such as for work purposes

This guidance is for the general public who are fit and well. There is separate, specific guidance on isolation for households with a possible coronavirus infection.

Some people, including those aged 70 and over, those with specific chronic pre-existing conditions and pregnant women, are clinically vulnerable, meaning they are at higher risk of severe illness from coronavirus. As we begin to ease restrictions, this group who are clinically vulnerable – see section 9 – should continue to take particular care to minimise contact with others outside their household

The government has published staying safe outside your home guidance on what the new rules will mean. This page sets out key FAQ to help you prepare for these changes.

This guidance applies in England – people in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland should follow the specific rules in those parts of the UK.